Border and Immigration

The Buzz: Catching up with some of our 2024 interviewees

We check back in on four stories we covered this year to see how they are doing.

Willcox Groundwater Basin designated as Arizona’s 7th active management area

Governor Hobbs uses administrative action to safeguard water in southeastern AZ.

Members of Congress ask DHS to halt use of AI in immigration decisions

Letter asks DHS to explain AI use.

Experts question feasibility of Trump's mass deportation promise

President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly said he is quickly going to deport huge numbers of people when he takes office. But immigration and economic experts say his plan is still unclear and likely not possible.

Congress required Biden Administration's sale of border wall materials

Some Republican are upset that the Biden administration is moving unused border wall materials out of the Arizona borderlands.

The Buzz: Tariffs and Southern Arizona's Economy

With the promise of import taxes, will major industries in our area be affected?

Portion of women dying crossing the U.S.-Mexico border into Arizona increase in 2024

The percentage of women who have died crossing the border into Arizona has increased this year, even as the total number of human remains found has slightly declined.

Arizona man indicted for ammo smuggling into Mexico, assault on a federal officer

A federal grand jury in Tucson indicted a U.S. citizen from Rio Rico who attempted to smuggle more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition into Mexico through the Nogales port of entry and was shot after he attempted to flee.

Final election results show Arizona voter turnout declined, while abortion and border security ballot measures see broad support across party lines

Only Pinal County saw an increase in turnout.

Trump’s proposed tariffs could spike U.S. grocery prices, industry experts warn

A 25% tariff on Mexican goods could have a ripple effect on U.S. produce prices and businesses.

Study shows border wall cuts wildlife crossings by 86%

A new study shows that the U.S.-Mexico border wall drastically reduced wildlife connectivity, especially large mammals such as black bears, deer, and wild turkeys.

New Border Patrol chief talks challenges, wins in the Tucson Sector

AZPM’s Danyelle Khmara interviewed Tucson Sector Border Patrol Chief Sean McGoffin about migrant trends, desert dangers, smuggling, and policy changes across administrations.

Migrant apprehensions remain low at U.S.-Mexico border

Federal data shows that migrant apprehensions in the Tucson sector remain low following Biden's June asylum restrictions.

Hobbs touts progress at border; says she will continue work under Trump

Gov. Katie Hobbs says administration supported federal agencies seizure of more than 6 million fentanyl pills and over 1,400 pounds of other drugs, pledges ongoing border security efforts.

New poll: Latinos lean Democratic despite Trump win

A new poll finds that Latino voters in Arizona rated issues at the U.S.-Mexico border as carrying less importance than what polls on broader demographics suggest.

Arizona’s border security prop headed toward passing

Arizona’s border security Proposition 314 was headed toward passing with more than 60 percent of the vote Tuesday night.

How some of Pima County’s youngest voters feel about casting their ballots

Arizona’s Gen Z voters set to shape the 2024 election.

New border operations center to support cross-agency investigations

Governor Katie Hobbs was in Sierra Vista Monday for the dedication of a new border operations center that will allow law enforcement agencies to work together on criminal cases related to border security.

Neighboring governors Hobbs, Durazo sign off on environmental plan to address cross-border air, water, waste and wildlife issues

New strategic plan prioritizes sustainable solutions for shared environmental challenges along the Arizona-Sonora border.

New data shows Arizona continues to be hot spot for fentanyl smuggling

The largest quantity of fentanyl seized by border officials at the U.S.-Mexico border was in Arizona for the second fiscal year in a row.

Candidates move toward center on key issues in tight Congressional race

Arizona’s CD6 race between incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani and former Democratic state legislator Kirsten Engel is one of the most competitive in the state. Both candidates have veered toward more centered rhetoric in hopes of winning the district.

Arizona top spot for ammunition smuggled into Mexico

New federal data shows that the largest seizures of ammunition going from the U.S. into Mexico in fiscal year 2024 were at Arizona ports of entry.

Vance repeats mass deportation promises at second Tucson rally

"We gotta get those people out of our country," he said.

Border Patrol apprehensions in FY24 fall while Tucson Sector increases due to record highs of asylum seekers

The number of times Border Patrol apprehended migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2024 fell by more than a quarter while the number in the Tucson Sector increased, due to the sector reaching record highs in migrant crossings.

The Wittner Museum

Paula Wittner’s Charming Paintings in Nogales, Arizona

Scholarships A-Z

Scholarships A-Z provides resources for undocumented college students.

Atascosa Borderlands

A visual storytelling project along the US-Mexico border by Jack Dash and Luke Takata

Gabriel Dozal: No Pares, Sigue, Sigue

A visual poem from his poetry collection, titled "The Border Simulator."

“To Erasures, Erasures" by Susan Briante

Poet Susan Briante shares an original poem that addresses immigration and the US-Mexico border.

Don't Bring Guns to Mexico

As gun violence and smuggling in Mexico increases so does the number of Americans arrested for trafficking.